Hi there!! :o)  Kylie here to announce the ‘winner’ of Kim’s awesome HERE WE GO A-CAROLING recipe challenge!  Thank you all SO MUCH for participating and joining in the musical fun!  

You guys definitely ‘rocked’ this latest challenge!!  We LOVED looking through all the entries (see more here!) and truly think every single one is a ‘winner’!  Each and every layout is so special and wonderful…plus there’s just something so joyful about adding music into the scrapping mix.  So, choosing our winners was NOT EASY, not at all!  (I know I went back and forth a million times before making the final decision for this very post…at the eleventh hour I might add!!)  We fell in love with ALL of them!  And, we really did not go by any specific criteria for choosing the ‘fave’ three layouts – it had to do with everything from design to journaling, etc.  Sooooo, HERE ARE OUR THREE WINNING LAYOUTS for our caroling challenge (in no particular order)…

First we have the gorgeous crysowens and her twinkling Oh (giant) Christmas Tree layout.  Full of fun and sparkles and merriment!!  This awesome layout sure does brighten our little Shabby Shoppe world with it’s ‘presents’…hee, hee!!

Next is O’ Holy Night (also shining ever-so brightly!) by the lovely jltanner.  The whole page is truly precious…especially the photo of the beautiful nativity set, complete with gorgeous bokeh!  Love the design, love the stars, love all the fonts…and love, love, love the carol!

And finally, the super-cute 2 Front Teeth by the sweet and very talented Amber.  Little Emily’s adorable photo is showcased wonderfully – all the perfect trimmings…and then some!  And on a personal note, I too have been singing this song to my youngest niece lately…but I’ve swapped the ‘two’ for just ‘one’! ;o)

CONGRATULATIONS, girls :o) You should have each received a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe (be sure to check your SPAM folders) via email – have fun shoppe-ing :o)  AGAIN, thank you SO much, to everyone, for participating and joining in the challenge fun!  EVERYONE did an amazing job with our little ‘scrap’ recipe.

Tomorrow, Shabby Princess will be sharing her DECEMBER projectSCRAP check-in with you all!!  Very much looking forward to that one!! :o)

KylieOther Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hello everyone!  Kim here and I am happy to be “hosting” our next scrapbooking recipe challenge!  As our blog is about to go on a little “holiday vacation” (more on that from Kylie tomorrow), we thought it would be fun to leave you with a challenge to inspire you to scrap while we’re gone.  I hope you will join along with me and the rest of the team!

So what is this challenge all about, you ask?  It is inspired by one of my favorite things… music!  I am a singer and music lover and for me, music is always a part of my holiday celebrations.  So are you ready??  Because here we go a-caroling!!

If you choose to sing along with us, you will have a chance to win one of THREE $10 gift cards to the Shabby Shoppe!  You have three weeks to scrap your layouts.  To be eligible to win, you must post your layout in the Shabby Shoppe Blog Challenge Gallery AND post a comment here on this blog post with a link to your layout.  All entries must be posted by midnight (US Eastern Time) on Sunday, January 8th.  We will announce the winners on January 11th.  Please keep in mind that all layouts must contain at least 75% SP products (purchased or free) and follow the recipe below.  Ready to get started?

(Recipe card made with Made from Scratch recipe card template no.4, Sugarplum Dreams kit and Sugarplum Additions, and glitter scatter from Sandbox Additions. Fonts used are Print Clearly and Amelie.)

~*~ Here is a little more explanation than what’s on the recipe card ~*~

• Use a carol to inspire – This is intentionally open to your interpretation.  I would love to see how a song can inspire YOU in creating a layout!  And if you don’t want to use a holiday carol, it’s OK to pick another kind of song to get the inspiration going. We just want to see you scrap!
• Strike a chord – Use any 3 patterned papers that you think coordinate
• Make sure there’s harmony – Use your favorite fasteners or find those fun fasteners that you may not have used yet – examples: staples, ribbon, bows, buttons, stitching, metal fasteners – but be sure and use 2 different kinds
• Repeat the chorus – Choose any element that you’re using in the layout and use that element several times (or more!)
• Don’t forget the lyrics – Add journaling to tell the story of your layout
• Ad libitum – Finish off the layout with any additional papers and elements you want

And here is what I’ve created with the recipe!

I can think of several ways I could use carol inspiration in a layout, but this is one I like to use often… making a line from a song the title of my layout.  And “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was PERFECT for this layout, as he really was rockin’ around the tree last Christmas!  I used a mix of holiday kits, but I must say that I especially love those ornaments from Twas the Night.  I fell in love with those ornaments three years ago when I bought this kit – my FIRST digital kit ever!  I find new ways to reuse it all the time as it coordaintes well with many SP kits.

Can’t wait to see what you create!  Be sure and stop by the blog tomorrow as Kylie sends us off on vacation with a few special treats.  But from me and the rest of the team, hope you all have a happy holiday and we’ll see you in 2012!

KimInspiration, Other Challenges, Uncategorized 15 Comments

YAY!  Are you as excited as I am?!  I hope so!

:: How does it work? ::

Grab a beverage and your favorite snack…and JOIN US right here at the BLOG at 9pm EST on THURSDAY, September 29th!!!  Over the course of ONE HOUR, we’ll give you basic scrapping instructions ONE AT A TIME, every TEN minutes.  At the end of the hour, you’ll have SIX instructions for creating a layout.  Just scrap along as each instruction is given out! ~ too easy!  Then, you’ll have one additional hour to finish up your layout and get it posted in the Shoppe’s gallery.

During the TWO ‘fast and fabulous scrapping’ HOURS, you can add any comments and/or questions you may have right on the blog!  Kylie, SP and I (Beckie) will be co-hosting…so we’ll be sure to keep the instructions coming to you on time (every 10 minutes) and answer all of your questions as soon as they come in.

Let these basic instructions guide you to creating your own FAST and FABULOUS layout!  To give you a couple of examples and a taste of what awaits…these simple steps might include: “Place 4 photos on your layout” and “You must include 5 different papers on your layout”.  We give you simple prompts, you make it all your own!

 :: Share your finished layout with other Shoppe Speed Scrappers! ::

Seeing everyone’s work is always the best part :) It’s so fun to see how everyone interprets the instructions and how different all of the layouts turn out. Plus…

post your layout to the gallery by 11PM EST and you’ll be entered to win one of three $10 Shabby Shoppe gift cards!

We hope this is the first of many FAST and FABULOUS speed scrap events to come :)  …and, we welcome your feedback on our VERY FIRST one!!  So, after the two hours of fast and fabulous scrapping on September 29th, feel free to add a comment to the speed scrap post…we’d love to hear your thoughts about the night!  We know that the date and time may not suit absolutely everyone (time zones, busy schedules and the like!!)…we’ve tried our very best to ensure that everyone that wants to participate can join in the fun!  And for that reason our second event will more than likely be held on a Friday night.  We’ll mix it up a little and hope that you can catch at least one, if not ALL, of our Shabby Shoppe Fast and Fabulous speed scraps!!

So mark your calendars and join us on Thursday, September 29th!  We’ll be sure to remind you again as we get closer to the event date, too!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!  We’ll see you again on Monday for Layout of the Week!!  Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend …and HAPPY SCRAPPING!! :)

BeckieFast and Fabulous, Other Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 18 Comments

Hi all! :o) Kylie here! Well, our 1st BIRTHDAY BASH has all but come and gone… for 2011, at least… and the way this year is going, we’ll be back in celebration mode before ya know it! :o) We’ve shared some fabulous goodies – all FREE – if you have missed any of our other birthday posts… you can easily find them by clicking the ‘birthday bash’ category over on the right side of the blog! Our jam-packed gift bag included: a word whimsy, a paper pack, clustered frames and an easy-as-pie layered template – all super-cute and all lots of FUN!! And, I love that they coordinate so perfectly with the AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER kit in the Shoppe. What a lovely way to extend this beloved kit – and I really can’t wait to scrap my next birthday celebration using all the new goodies (I may have to scrap some old photos – too impatient?!)

Before we pack up the decorations and turn the lights out on the 1st birthday celebrations, I’m here today to announce the ‘WINNERS’ of our celebration recipe challenge! Hosting this cheery challenge was lots of fun and going through all the entries was THE VERY BEST part! I loved each and every entry! :o) It was lovely to see so many different types of celebrations and memorable occasions … all so special and wonderful in their own way… and all scrapped BRILLIANTLY!! As always, choosing was not an easy task. We really did not go by any specific criteria for choosing the ‘favorite’ three layouts – it had to do with everything from design to journaling to overall creativity, etc. So, in no particular order… here are our THREE WINNING LAYOUTS for the ‘A TIME TO CELEBRATE’ recipe challenge… congratulations girls!!

First, we have bessysue581 with her adorable page celebrating little Kaiya’s first birthday! :o) Just look at that photo – utter CUTENESS and pure HAPPINESS!! A perfect princess party page… full of all things pretty… and lots of sparkles!

Next, we have another birthday celebration, and a celebration of sisters, all rolled into one.  15 Amazing Years by chocochoco is beautifully crafted! :o) The whole page is precious and what I love most is the journaling… such sweet and earnest words! (Oh, if I could only write half as well on my sister’s next birthday card, I’ll be doing very well indeed!)

And finally, First Dance by PrimevalPixie! :o) A gorgeous photograph from their very special day, a pic that is no doubt cherished! And the layout, to showcase such a beautiful first, is absolutely stunning – in every way… especially the journaling! (You guys really did pull the heartstrings with each and every recipe challenge layout!)

CONGRATULATIONS, girls :o)  You should have each received a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe (be sure to check your SPAM folders) via email – have fun shoppe-ing :o) Thank you SO much, to everyone, for participating and joining in the challenge fun! EVERYONE did an amazing job with our little ‘scrap’ recipe. So many very, very special pages full of wonderful celebrations – both big and small…  ALL treasured keepsakes! 

Please join me again on Friday for a little Father’s Day inspiration! Thanks for dropping by the blog today and we’ll see you again soon! :o)

KylieOther Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 4 Comments

Hello everyone! It’s Kylie here and I’m thrilled to bring you a special little birthday treat – a scrapbooking recipe CHALLENGE!! A wonderful way for everyone to join in with all the excitement as we celebrate the BLOG’s birthday! Simply follow the instructions on the scrap recipe card below and put together your very own celebration layout.

As a special treat, we will be selecting not one, but THREE ‘winners’ who participate in this fun recipe challenge. Each ’winner’ will receive a $10 GIFT CARD to the Shabby Shoppe!  You have several weeks to scrap this challenge and comment back. To be eligible to ‘win’ – you must upload your layout to the Shabby Shoppe BLOG CHALLENGE GALLERY AND then post a COMMENT HERE at our blog (on this post only) with a link to your layout in our gallery.  All challenge entries (gallery upload/your comment) must be received by the challenge DEADLINE – Monday, June 6th.  Our three lovely ‘winners’ will be announced Wednesday, June 8th!  Please keep in mind that all layouts must contain at least 75% SP product (purchased or free) and remember to follow the “Time to Celebrate” recipe below! :o)

(Recipe card made with Muffin Man recipe card template no.5, ‘an affair to remember’ kit (currently on SALE), alpha – goose bumps – recolored - and the fonts used are LD adornment & LD elegance)

~*~ Here is a little more explanation than what’s on the recipe card ~*~

Gift-giving is so much fun and that’s what this challenge is all about! The aim is to treat our page like a gift! – a special present, lovingly wrapped with all the trimmings and a little card to add a personal touch!

Your GIFT:

• Scrap something that you’ve celebrated – an occasion, a milestone or simply a moment that was important to you!
• Choose one special photo that represents that celebration. You can frame if you like – we’ll leave that up to you!

Your CARD:

• What’s a gift without a little card? So take a journal label and fill it with your story, your thoughts, your memories! And you’ll need a title on your page too – so be sure to add one!

Your WRAPPING:

• Choose 3 different papers that are fairly neutral in tones and/or patterns. Use them anyway you want!
• Now, choose another paper that has a burst of color to add a little ‘wow factor’ to your page!
• With embellishments - you have free reign! You can stick to your own personal scrapping style (or not) with this recipe requirement – add just one or two elements or a page-full – no limit!

Your TRIMMING:

• To finish the perfect ‘gift’ you will need a little trimming – in my opinion it’s a must! Add at least one of the following to your layout:

Ribbon ::: Bow ::: RicRac ::: Stitching ::: AND/OR ::: Ornate Trim

If you have any questions about this recipe challenge, please post a comment here and we’ll reply to you as soon as we can (daily)! :o) Now, let me show you how my page turned out by following the “Time to Celebrate” recipe challenge guidelines! I used several different Shabby Princess kits so if you’re interested in which ones, I’ll be posting my layout in the Shabby Artist Gallery in the next day or so.

Can’t wait to see what you create! Again, be sure to get your entries in by MIDNIGHT (Eastern Time) on JUNE 6th, and the three gift card winners will be announced on JUNE 8th! Happy Scrapping!! :o)

Enjoy your weekend and we’ll see you back here on MONDAY with Layout of the Week!

KylieInspiration, Other Challenges, Uncategorized 35 Comments